Monday, January 17, 2011

#784) EDDIE KUNZ

Eddie Kunz was selected by the New York Mets during the first round of the free agent draft on June 7, 2007. The right-handed junior from Oregon State University was the 42nd overall selection. He had served as the closer for the College World Series Champions. "It's definitely an amazing feeling," Kunz said when the team announced his signing at Shea Stadium. "Ever since I was a little kid, I always wished I could do that, and the best part is wearing the Mets uniform, and Major League-anything is definitely one of the greatest feelings that I have ever had."

After finishing the season with the Brooklyn Cyclones the 21 year-old was invited to major league spring training camp in 2008. "I'm really looking forward to seeing this kid pitch a little bit," commented manager Willie Randolph. "I see him as a kid who can help us in the near future, whenever that may be. You can see he's got the stuff to get hitters out. His ball has some hard sink when it's down."

Billy Wagner's strained left forearm gave the Mets the opportunity to promote Kunz from Double-A Binghamton. He made his major-league debut facing the Astros in Houston on August 3, 2008. Eddie gave up a bunt single, and committed an error to the next batter on a second bunt. He was bailed out by a double-play grounder to end the inning. "I've watched all those (college closers) a little bit here and there and saw the success they've had here." Kunz said. "I'm hoping I have the same."

His second appearance was his first at Shea Stadium. Eddie allowed a run during the eighth inning of a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on August 6th. Discussions continued that the rookie Kunz would be used as the Mets interim closer while Wagner was unavailable. Following a very poor outing by Eddie in Pittsburgh the team chose to go in another direction. They optioned the reliever to Triple-A New Orleans on August 18th after acquiring Luis Ayala from the Washington Nationals.

Kunz ended with four appearances that totalled 2.2 innings of work with a 13.50 ERA. In 2010 the Mets converted Eddie into a starting pitcher in their minor-league system, but he was returned to the bullpen before the close of the season.

Eddie Kunz signed his card in the set for my friend, Dan before the Indianapolis Indians and Buffalo Bisons game at Dunn Tire Park on June 6, 2009.

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PROJECT STATUS

Current Count of 712 of 791 players.

90.0% Complete

( 7 -Special Moment cards)

Project started in October 2008.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The New York Mets and all their fans bid farewell to a major part of their history at the close of the 2008 baseball season. Shea Stadium had been our summer home for 45 years. So many memories were built there by the 790 players that appeared in a game for the Mets during that time. In celebration of that I created a set of handmade cards featuring each one of these men. My design was done in such a way as to allow an autograph to be included. I am now in the process of having each one signed by those players. This blog will feature the cards as I get them completed. I hope you enjoy following my progress and reliving the careers of these great men that will always be our Mets.

ABOUT ME

I am a lifelong New York Mets fan that grew up in the midwest. I have followed the club and it's rich array of characters throughout the years. Perhaps the most special of which are the "one game" appearances. These men each have a terrific story and honor the legacy of the great Archibald "Moonlight" Graham.
As an autograph collector of the Mets team I will be posting my successes here as well. The focus of my collection is to add a signed baseball card for each man to appear in a game for the Mets. I will be posting examples of these here.